Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-07-26
COMPLAINTS OF WATER.TAKERS.
Col. Ludlow Explains the Position Of
the COmsmissiOnerS ON tho Vexed
Water Question.


the Commissioners ON tho VeXed
Water Question.
There has been more complaint than usual
among water-takers this year, and the result Is
call for meeting tonight to give expression to
the complaints These complaints arise in some
cases On account OF an increase in water bills over
former years, and in others on account Of the pre-
sentation OF bills for Waterman taxes claimed to
be due. The situation was explained to STAR
reporter by Col. Ludlow, the Engineer Commits
sioner, to the following effect: year or more ago
1t was discovered that the books and accounts Of
the water ONCE were In a very unsatisfactory
state: There was apparently large amount due
on the Waterman tax account, but 1t could not
be readily ascertained what the dellnquenc1es
personnel Of the water of1ice, and an EFFORT made
10 obtain correct statement OF all arrears OF
taxes. The result was the discovery OF deiin-
quenc1eS, on the showing Of the books, amounting
to about $50 .OOO The books, OF course, showed
only that such taxes had not been collected, but
did not explain whether there was an actual de-
case were properly charged with the tax or not.
THE WATERMAN CIRCULAR.
ThereupOn the water of1ice then sent out circu-
lars to owners Of property against which it was
found such charges, according to the books, re-
NAMED unsatisfled, giving notice OF the existing
main tax has been paid upon the property as re-
qulred by law. No premises on which the water
a water supply. II, therefore, continuance Of
water service is desired it is requisite that the
paid" These circulars the Commissioner said,
were sent out for the purpose OF obtaining the in
formation not afforded by the books, and that was
the reason why no Waterman tax had been col
lected from the properties In question. Answers
had been received very generally and the desired
IDIOT information mad been IN most cases, obtained In
was levied the property was church property
and therefore exempt; in other cases the claim
was made that the Waterman was laid on the
opposite side OF the street. that the charge was
erroneous for some other reason. Many questions
were brought up to the commissioners for settle
ment, an important one being the mode to be fol-
lowed In enforcing the collection OF delinquent
Waterman taxes In the cases where, in the opin-
ion OF the ofricas, no good reason could be shown
why the tax should not be paid. This question
has not yet been fully decided.
THE SHUTTING OFF" PLAN.
Among the propositions coming up for discus
SIGN is That of enforcing the collection of the tax
by cutting OF the water supply from the premises
OF those who refuse to pay. There has been no
the commissioners are inclined to the belief that
the only proper way OF enforcing the collection Is
to do 1t through the collector OF taxes by adver-
tlsing and sale at the tax sale. Meanwhile until
The matter Is finally decided, the water Office
clerks have been Instructed to withhold the yearly
water rent bills In the cases OF properties thus
claimed to be in arrears. The water service, how
ever, Is continued
WHERE IT MIGHT WORK.
Col. Ludlow is OF opinion that the process of
shutting of the water can be properly employed
in the case Of persons who decline to pay water
main tax because the water main from which
they get service does not bind upon their prop
erty. Under the law the Waterman tax Is charge
able only against the property in front OF which 1t
Is laid. There are many cases, however, where
such mains have been tapped to supply houses ON
side street having no main OF its own, or on an
other side OF the same square. Col. Ludlow thinks
the law was wOrded as 1t was because 1t was eX-
pecte1 that the main would supply only those
properties fronting upon it. He thinks that in
equity the property around the corner, which is
equally benefited by the main and obtains its
water supply from 1t, should pay its share toward
the expenses OF the water system. He is OF Optn-
ion that the supply pipes laid from such mains to
houses not fronting upon 1t nave been laid by per-
mission only of the District authorities, and that
In case OF a refusal to pay the Waterman tax,
which cannot be enforced under the law by the
usual means, the authorities would be Justified in
cutting on the supply from the premises involved.
THE WATER RENTS.
The complaints as to the increased water rents,
Col Ludlow said, were from persons who hereto
fore have not paid so much as they rghtfully
should have paid under a strict adjustment OF
rents. The rigorous inspection OF the past year,
and the close examination OF the affairs or the
water department have resulted In discovering
many cases where the rents charged were below
what was actually due. In some instances, per-
sons having stores in their building have been
charged according to domestic rates. and in others
It has been discovered that Easements used for
living purposes. or additional stories OF houses
have not been taken into account.
Col Ludlow expressed himself, in talking to
STAR reporter, as surprised that the effort of the
Commissioners to secure a rigid enforcement OF
the law, and to compel all persons who are in.
debted TO the District treasury TO settle their
arrears, should meet with so much criticism and
apparent opposition. In his view the Commits
SiOnerS would be negligent OF their duty II they
did not take steps TO secure the payment OF all
taxes found to be due the District. -